More than a Chef with a Ramen Wave: Tracy Chang of PAGU

As a food explorer living in Boston, I follow the food blog Tiny Urban Kitchen by Taiwanese American Jen Che. This is where I first heard about the restaurant PAGU and its Taiwanese American chef/owner Tracy Chang, a talented culinary entrepreneur who sports a unique hairstyle (aka the "ramen wave"). PAGU serves Japanese tapas, a reflection of Tracy’s culinary training at O Ya (one of Boston’s top sushi restaurants) and Restaurante Martin Berasategui (three-star Michelin restaurant…

National Taiwanese American Women’s Conference in San Diego

The 2015 North American Taiwanese Women's Association (NATWA) Convention will be held at the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley in San Diego from April 16-19, 2015. The conference theme is TELLING OUR HISTORY THROUGH PROSE, POETRY AND ART. Founded by proud 1st generation Taiwanese American and Canadian women during the 80's, the organization and conference now brings together the 1st through 3rd generation community of Taiwanese heritage. The collegiate and young professional program (NATWA…

Big Bah-Tzangs: The Hungry Monster

Wouldn’t someone dressed up in a giant bah-tzang costume be funny?? This simple image was the inspiration for Karen Lin’s “Hungry Monster,” a web series that gives viewers a creative way to learn about ethnic foods (such as bah-tzangs), their origins, and how they are prepared. Named after the Taiwanese saying yao gui, “Hungry Monster” was created for people of all ages to learn about unfamiliar foods, including Taiwanese foods. Each episode features a different food and a “Hungry…

Michelle Wu – On Campaigning, Boston, and Pig Ears

Michelle Wu is one of the newly elected at-large councilors for Boston City Council, and the first Asian American female to hold the position. About a year ago, I received a random Facebook invite to one of her first campaign events, where I was inspired by her story. On an especially windy day in a cozy South End Starbucks, I had the privilege of hearing more about her journey and plans for a better Boston. Congrats on your victory! Thanks! I am very humbled to have been elected. Tell…

Finding Myself through the Taiwanese American Community

I grew up in San Marino, a small 3-mile radius town that was pretty Asian. No, I mean really Asian: my high school was 75% Asian, and probably 30% Taiwanese. I always knew I was Asian because I looked it and spoke Taiwanese at home, but I didn’t actually know what that meant. So when I went to college at Northwestern University where the Asian population was (only) 20%, I was in for a culture shock. “Oh my God, white people.” When I got to Evanston, I was hyper aware of my Asian identity.…

Ai-jen Poo: Inspiring Across Generations

I had the opportunity to connect with Ai-jen Poo, activist and keynote speaker at the Intercollegiate Taiwanese American Students Association (ITASA) East Coast Conference in New York City. Ai-jen serves as the Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance and Co-Director of the Caring Across Generations campaign. She was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in 2012 and was featured on Newsweek’s 150 Fearless Women list. Learn more about her story of how her Taiwanese roots influence…

ITASA 20th Anniversary Alumni Celebration

Twenty years ago, a group of young Taiwanese Americans had a bold vision - establishing a national network of students from a common heritage to empower one another to succeed and to build a cohesive identity. Today, the Intercollegiate Taiwanese American Students Association (ITASA) is stronger than ever. We bring together and inspire thousands of students annually through our regional conferences and programs designed to connect 50+ TASAs around the country. The ITASA Board of Directors invites…

TAP Boston Night Out @ W Hotel

Date: Friday, November 16, 2012 Time: 8:00 PM Location: Descent at the W Hotel Address: 100 Stuart Street, Boston, MA Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/550007545016163 RSVP link:  http://tapnightout.eventbrite.com/ In place of our monthly TAPpy Hour, TAP Boston is hosting our big social night out at Descent, one of the city's trendiest lounges, located inside the W Boston Hotel. You don't have to be Taiwanese American to attend, just remember to bring valid ID! Event…

TAP Boston TAPpy Hour at the Forum

Date: Thursday, October 4, 2012 Time: 8:00 PM– 11:00 PM Location: Forum Address: 755 Boylston Street (Closest T station: Copley) Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/262791757157965/ RSVP link:  http://tapnightout.eventbrite.com/ Join Taiwanese American Professionals (TAP) - Boston for a fun evening at FORUM, located in the heart of Boston's Back Bay. Connect with other young professionals and graduate students, and enjoy delicious food and drinks at one of Boston's…

TAP Boston Networking Dim Sum Brunch

Date: Saturday, September 22, 2012 Time: 12:00 PM– 2:00 PM Location: Hei-La Moon Address: 88 Beach St. Boston, MA Cost: approx. $10 Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/431167113595759/ RSVP link:  http://tapbrunch.eventbrite.com/ Join Taiwanese American Professionals - Boston for delicious dim sum and an exciting afternoon of networking. Our inaugural networking brunch will kick-off at Hei La Moon in Boston's historic Leather District. Table spots are limited to the…